MSC Cruises commissioned a survey of 2,000 parents of children aged six to 16, which found that more than three-quarters of parents in Britain struggled to get their kids to try a new food simply because it 'looked weird' and that they would rather eat pizza every day on holiday.

Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales and Managing Director of MSC Cruises UK and Ireland: “From our research, it’s interesting to see what an important role food preferences and cuisine play in holiday habits and travel itineraries. It’s apparent that parents have their work cut out for them to keep their youngsters happy – whether that’s here at home or further afield. We’ve also observed that kids can be pickier on holiday as they can’t always access the food they can get at home, and this can have a real impact on family travel.”

“For parents, going somewhere they know they’ll have options can be a load off the mind. With a wide variety of restaurants on board our ships, ranging from international cuisine to relaxed buffet experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. MSC Cruises offers parents the chance to truly unwind, leaving the cooking and meal planning to our experienced cruise chefs. We want parents and kids to be able to indulge in all their favourite food choices – and focus on creating memories together.”

What's more, 37 percent of parents regularly battle dinnertime dramas and , whilst 63 per cent of parents admit they let their kids’ food preferences dictate where they travel.

Additionally, children in Birmingham are considered some of the UK’s fussiest eaters, while kids in London stand out for being the most adventurous at the dinner table.